I just read the saddest story on a news website. This is being written just a few days after the school shootings in Ohio where a young boy named Demitrius was killed by a lone gunman. One of his classmates.
Demitrius' mother was interviewed about what she would like to say to the shooter. Her response, "I forgive you." Later she added, "God knew what He was doing."
And yet her son is dead.
His mother commented that each day brings new grace and we need to walk in the light of God and His love for us. Bringing forgiveness. Hope. Charity.
She wanted to know that her son's life meant something. By displaying grace toward this young man who took her son's life, she would be able to display what she has been telling her son and his friends all their short lives. God is in control.
I hope I am never in a place where I have to know how I would react in a similar situation. I pray none of my family and friends need to experience that same pain.
Would I be able to walk in that same grace? I would hope I would. If someone comes at me with all evil intent, would I be forgiving? Or vindictive? Would I want that person to suffer in jail hoping it would alleviate my pain?
Or would I do as Jesus did?
Turn the other cheek. Say "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing."
I don't believe I have to lose someone to death to know what it feels like to be in pain over another's actions. I have been hurt many, many times by those who have betrayed my trust. Who have walked away from friendships. Who have been mean.
How do I treat them? Do I turn my back? Go down a different aisle when i see them at the grocery store? Or am I forgiving?
If Demitrius' mom could forgive someone taking her son's life, why am I not able to equally forgive someone who just calls me names.
God did this for us. He forgave those who took His Son's life. Us. Because we didn't know what we were doing.
Demitrius' mother was interviewed about what she would like to say to the shooter. Her response, "I forgive you." Later she added, "God knew what He was doing."
And yet her son is dead.
His mother commented that each day brings new grace and we need to walk in the light of God and His love for us. Bringing forgiveness. Hope. Charity.
She wanted to know that her son's life meant something. By displaying grace toward this young man who took her son's life, she would be able to display what she has been telling her son and his friends all their short lives. God is in control.
I hope I am never in a place where I have to know how I would react in a similar situation. I pray none of my family and friends need to experience that same pain.
Would I be able to walk in that same grace? I would hope I would. If someone comes at me with all evil intent, would I be forgiving? Or vindictive? Would I want that person to suffer in jail hoping it would alleviate my pain?
Or would I do as Jesus did?
Turn the other cheek. Say "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing."
I don't believe I have to lose someone to death to know what it feels like to be in pain over another's actions. I have been hurt many, many times by those who have betrayed my trust. Who have walked away from friendships. Who have been mean.
How do I treat them? Do I turn my back? Go down a different aisle when i see them at the grocery store? Or am I forgiving?
If Demitrius' mom could forgive someone taking her son's life, why am I not able to equally forgive someone who just calls me names.
God did this for us. He forgave those who took His Son's life. Us. Because we didn't know what we were doing.
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